Is there a recognised speed I need to gait at, or is it what works best for the dog? I have a 6m BC puppy who is my first show prospect, and he gaits lovely at a fast walk, but if I take him more the speed you see others going at, he turns into tigger.
Can I gait him at the speed that works best right now, or do I need to work on getting him faster? Our first show is in 2 weeks under a general judge.

Surely he needs to move at the speed which best suits him? ;)  he's a baby so needs to enjoy himself a little too.   don't worry if he has fun at your expense in the ring, he'll settle when he's older ;)

I would take a six month old puppy around the ring at a brisk walk.  Start off slowly, moving towards a brisk walk if he is settled.  Try and keep a loose lead.

We treat the whole thing as a game so he definitely has fun! I guess you could say I'm just checking that I can do what suits him best and not that I have to move him at a certain speed?
I get help from his breeder as much as I can, but due to geography I can't get hands on help from her.

What show have you entered him in? Is it the Southern BC Club show in two weeks.

Go at the speed that best suits your dog, so he is co-ordinated and trots well - if he bounces a bit it doesnt matter at all, and dont tell him off for doing so. At the puppy stage showing must be fun, they settle as they get used to it and it gets a bit boring

Its a local champ show - nothing so big or scary as the Southern BC club show!

When we practise, I don't pull him up for mistakes, just ignore the unwanted and praise the good stuff, and it seems to work for us :)

move him at the speed that suits him, if the judge wants you to move him faster then he/she will ask you.